The World Is A Ghetto

For all that is in the world—
the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life—
is not of the Father
but is of the world.
1 John 2:16

There are two kingdoms operating in the earth right now - the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. The kingdom of darkness operates through a system that the Bible refers to as the world. It is a broken system that opposes the truths of God's word. The world-system is based on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life and is headed for destruction on the broad path.

The term world, also stands for the condition of human affairs; with mankind alienated from and opposed to God their Creator. Jesus wants His followers to live in the world and to serve and be a witness for Him on earth, but not get caught up in the things of the world. Jesus said, "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other" (Luke 16:13).

The term ghetto is defined as an impoverished, neglected, or otherwise disadvantaged residential area in a city, usually troubled by a disproportionately large amount of crime. Ghetto is not only a physical inner city residential area, but ghetto is also a way of thinking and behaving derived from living in the ghetto. 

When a person is described as ghetto, it is to describe that person's state of mind. Ghetto is a condition... an association with people, objects and behavior that is not considered acceptable or proper by mainstream society. Ghetto is a derogatory term used toward individuals who lack the standards of manners and ethics. Ghetto is how individuals look at the world and act according to their individual state of mind which drives them to behave a certain way. But that does not mean we should be estranged from them or alienate them as if they were lepers.

To the church... the world is ghetto. But, ironically Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, "I do not pray for the world, but for those whom You have given Me out of the world, for they are Yours. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world."

The world is a ghetto, but children of God's kingdom, we are not of the world. We are in the world but not of the world. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (1 John 2:15-16). There is nothing wrong with wanting to come up and do better in life, but fighting for the things of this life should not become our main focus. It should not dominate us. We are to reign over our fleshly desires, not them over us.

Jesus said, "I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me (Luke 22:29). And I give you the keys to this kingdom, and whatever you bind (shackle, tie-up) on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose (set free, let go) on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matt. 16:19).

We are not wrestling against flesh and blood (other human beings) but against principalities (different orders of spirit beings), against powers (hierarchy of spiritual beings), against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly realm (Eph. 6:12). But Jesus said, "I have given you the keys to the kingdom. And I have given you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (Luke 10:19).

So if God be for us, who can be against us? Yet, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Rom. 8:31,33). "These things I have spoken to you," Jesus said, "that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

I know many believers are grieved at the passing of the Supreme Court's ruling on marriage equality but clearly Jesus said, "I don't pray for the world, I pray for those that are Mine." We're living in the world-system, but we are not of the world. Be angry at the sin, but love the sinner. We have no stones to throw at the sinner man (John 8:7), for we ourselves were once sinners in need of grace... in need of a Savior.

I believe we should serve the gay community as we would any one else. If I were a business owner, I would treat them as I would any other customer. Let not the church become bitter toward our fellow man... yes, hate what is wrong, but hold tightly to that which is good. Jesus said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." So let your light still shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matt 5:16).

The church is the bridge by which the sinner crosses over to God's kingdom. If we become broken down, mean-spirited and dysfunctional, then world has no means of reaching the kingdom of heaven.

Love thy neighbor as thyself.

Go in peace for blessed are the peacemakers.